River Conditions
Illustrated map of Lake Norman

River stage

Marshall, French Broad River

River level
3.97 ft
Status
Below flood stage
7-day change
+2.75 ft
Recent high
5.14 ft
Recent low
0.95 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS MARN7

30-day change
+2.90 ft
Average
1.55 ft
Readings
122
Data span
122 days
Record crest
21.36 ft

In brief

The French Broad River at Marshall, NC read 3.97 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.53 ft below action stage. That is 2.90 ft higher than 30 days earlier.

Source: National Weather Service gauge MARN7

River level timeline

0.02.14.26.38.4SEP 13SEP 18SEP 23SEP 28OCT 03OCT 08OCT 13ACTION 7.50 ftHIGH 5.14LOW 0.954.27 ftLAST READING

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 7.50 ftMinor flooding 8.00 ftModerate flooding 10.00 ftMajor flooding 13.00 ft CURRENT 3.97 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 21.36 ft 2024-09-28
2 15.00 ft 1963-03-12
3 13.64 ft 1978-11-06
4 13.40 ft 1957-04-05
5 12.72 ft 2004-09-17
6 12.40 ft 1946-02-10
7 12.10 ft 1949-06-17
8 11.60 ft 1946-01-07

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 7.00 ft

    The French Broad River is starting to flood low-lying areas on Blannahassett Island. Low-lying areas along Hayes Run Creek in the Rollins area are beginning to flood.

  2. 8.00 ft

    Minor Flood Stage. The French Broad River is approaching some buildings on Blannahassett Island and approaching residential yards along Island Road. Minor flooding along Rollins Road is likely. The river is approaching the railroad tracks in the Back Street area.

  3. 9.00 ft

    Minor flooding continues. The French Broad River is close to the top of the railroad tracks and starting to flood areas between Highway 70 and the normal riverbank. Floodwaters may begin to reach buildings along Back Street and on Blannahassett Island.

  4. 10.00 ft

    Moderate Flood Stage. Flooding along Rollins Road and Hayes Run Road is continuing and worsening. Parts of the town of Marshall is flooded.

  5. 11.30 ft

    Moderate flooding continues. Most buildings in the town of Marshall are inundated. Flooding at this level is similar to the flooding that occurred on September 8, 2004.

  6. 13.00 ft

    Major Flood Stage. Floodwaters in the town of Marshall are at least 1.5 ft deep. Flooding at this level is similar to the flooding that occurred on September 17, 2004.

  7. 16.50 ft

    Major flooding continues. Flooding of buildings and businesses along Main Street is continuing and worsening with most buildings having at least 2 feet of water in them.

  8. 21.00 ft

    Major flooding continues. Near record flooding is being observed with floodwaters at least 7 feet deep in the lower elevations in the town of Marshall.

  9. 22.00 ft

    Record Flood Stage. Extensive flood damage is likely occurring to the town of Marshall, Blannahassett Island, and the community of Rollins.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the French Broad River flooding at Marshall?

No. The French Broad River at Marshall is at 3.97 ft, 3.53 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Marshall?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 7.5 ft, minor flooding 8 ft, moderate flooding 10 ft and major flooding 13 ft.

What is the highest the French Broad River has been at Marshall?

The highest crest on record is 21.36 ft, on 2024-09-28.

Is the French Broad River high or low right now at Marshall?

At 3.97 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge MARN7); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03453500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.